Base station for use in multi-network connection communication system and its connecting method

ABSTRACT

A base station for use in a multi-network connection communication system and its connecting method are provided, wherein the base station is connectable simultaneously to a carrier network and a private network. The base station comprises a section for making a decision as to whether a terminal is to be connected to a carrier network or a private network, and a section for connecting the terminal to the carrier network or the private network in accordance with the decision result.

[0001] This application is based on patent application No. 2000-356711filed Nov. 22, 2000 in Japan, the content of which is incorporatedhereinto by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a base station for use in amulti-network connection communication system and its connecting method,and particularly to a base station for use in a multi-network connectioncommunication system and its connecting method, in which the basestation is connectable to both a carrier network and a private network.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Conventionally, a mobile communication carrier (such as NTTDoCoMo Inc.) installs a base station to establish connection to acarrier network. On the other hand, a private network is constructedindividually by using a radio LAN technique or the like.

[0006] However, since a carrier network base station cannot be used as aprivate network base station, there is a problem in that the carrier andindividual must make a duplicate investment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, in consideration of the above mentioned problem, anobject of the present invention is to provide a base station for use ina multi-network connection communication system and its connectingmethod, wherein the base station is connectable to both a carriernetwork and a private network simultaneously.

[0008] In order to accomplish such an object, in the first aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a base station for use in amulti-network connection communication system comprising: means formaking a decision as to whether a terminal is to be connected to acarrier network or a private network; and means for connecting theterminal to the carrier network or the private network in accordancewith the decision result.

[0009] Here, the base station may further comprise means for assigningresources to the communication of the terminal in accordance withpredetermined setting information.

[0010] Here, the predetermined setting information may be a maximumproviding ratio for users of the carrier network and/or priority.

[0011] Here, charges for the carrier network levied on an owner of theprivate network may be discounted in accordance with predeterminedsetting information.

[0012] Here, the predetermined setting information may be a maximumproviding ratio for users of the carrier network and/or priority.

[0013] Here, the base station may be owned by a carrier that providesthe carrier network.

[0014] Here, the base station may be owned by an owner of the privatenetwork.

[0015] In the second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda connecting method for use in a base station for use in a multi-networkconnection communication system comprising the steps of: making adecision as to whether the a terminal is to be connected to a carriernetwork or a private network; and connecting the terminal to the carriernetwork or the private network in accordance with the decision result.

[0016] Here, the connecting method may further comprise the step ofassigning resources to the communication of the terminal in accordancewith predetermined setting information.

[0017] Here, the predetermined setting information may be a maximumproviding ratio for users of the carrier network and/or priority.

[0018] Here, charges for the carrier network levied on an owner of theprivate network may be discounted in accordance with predeterminedsetting information.

[0019] Here, the predetermined setting information may be a maximumproviding ratio for users of the carrier network and/or priority.

[0020] Here, the base station may be owned by a carrier that providesthe carrier network.

[0021] Here, the base station may be owned by an owner of the privatenetwork.

[0022] The foregoing configuration can provide the base station for usein the multi-network connection communication system and its connectingmethod connectable to both the carrier network and the private networksimultaneously.

[0023] The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages ofthe present invention will become more apparent from the followingdescription of embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an implemented scheme of amulti-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another implemented scheme of amulti-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing still another implemented scheme of amulti-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a base station 100 inFIGS. 1-3;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the basestation of the multi-network connection communication system inaccordance with the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation for registeringa mobile station or the like to be connected to the private network inthe multi-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation for deletingthe registration of a mobile station or the like to be connected to theprivate network in the multi-network connection communication system inaccordance with the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a private basestation 100, which schematically shows its functions relevant to thepresent invention;

[0032]FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of the basestation of the multi-network connection communication system inaccordance with the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation when the ownerof the base station registers a maximum providing ratio and priority inthe multi-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0034]Fig. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation forregistering an owner and a user in the multi-network connectioncommunication system in accordance with the present invention; and

[0035]FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation for changingsetting of a password and the like in the multi-network connectioncommunication system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an implemented scheme of amulti-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention, which shows only portions relevant to the presentinvention.

[0038] The multi-network connection communication system in accordancewith the present invention comprises at least a base station, a mobilestation and a network. The network is a carrier network provided by acarrier such as a mobile switching network/mobile packet network like anIMT2000 system; GSM system and PDC/PDC-P system, a radio paging network,a local radio network such as Bluetooth, a PHS network, the Internet, anintranet, a LAN (including both wired and radio networks), a VAN, apublic telephone network (including both analog and digital networks), aprivate network (including both analog and digital networks), a CATVnetwork and a satellite communication network.

[0039] In the example as shown in FIG. 1, a mobile station A in aservice area of a base station 1 communicates with a mobile station C ina service area of a base station 2 via a carrier network. The mobilestation A is further connected with a mobile station B through a privatenetwork via the base station 1.

[0040]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another implemented scheme of amulti-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention, which shows only portions relevant to the presentinvention.

[0041] In the example as shown in FIG. 2, a mobile station A in aservice area of a base station 1 communicates with a mobile station C ina service area of a base station 2 via a carrier network. The mobilestation A is further connected with a mobile station B through a privatenetwork via the base station 1 and a base station 3.

[0042]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing still another implemented scheme of amulti-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention, which shows only portions relevant to the presentinvention.

[0043] In the example as shown in FIG. 3, a mobile station A and amobile station B in a service area of a base station 1 are connectedthrough a private network (and a carrier network) via a booster.

[0044] Thus, the multi-network connection communication systemsdescribed in connection with FIGS. 1-3 each comprise a base stationsimultaneously connectable to both the private network and carriernetwork. Utilizing the base station of the carrier as a base station ofa private LAN makes it possible to obviate the LAN in the privateequipment, and to efficiently use the base station with lowavailability.

[0045]FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of thebase station 100 of FIGS. 1-3, which shows only portions of thefunctions of the base station 100 that are relevant to the presentinvention.

[0046] The base station 100 comprises at least a receiving section 102for receiving a signal from a mobile station or a carrier network; auser registration management section 104 for managing the registrationof a mobile station that uses the base station as a private network; aservice area decision section 106 for making a decision of a servicearea; a network interface 108 for establishing interface with thecarrier network; a radio resource management section 110 for managingradio resources used for radio communication with a mobile station; achannel controlling section 112 for controlling channels used for theradio communication with a mobile station; a transmitting section 114for transmitting a signal to the mobile station or the carrier network;and a traffic supervisory section 116 for monitoring the traffic forbilling purposes or the like.

[0047] Next, an operation of the present embodiment of the multi-networkconnection communication system will be described with reference toFIGS. 5-7.

[0048]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the basestation of the multi-network connection communication system inaccordance with the present invention.

[0049] First, the receiving section 102 of the base station 100 receivesa packet from the mobile station or the carrier network (step S502).

[0050] Subsequently, the user registration management section 104 of thebase station 100 makes a decision as to whether the terminating addresshas been registered or not (step S504). When it has not yet registered,the base station 100 transmits the packet to the network (step S514),and then the packet is transmitted to another base station via aswitching system and the like.

[0051] On the other hand, when the terminating address has beenregistered (step S504), the service area decision section 106 of thebase station 100 makes a decision as to the terminating address of areceived packet (step S506). When the terminating address is that of themobile station that is not present in the area of the base station 100,the packet is transmitted to the network (step S514) so that it is sentto another base station via the switching system and the like.

[0052] On the other hand, when the terminating address is that of themobile station currently present in the area of the base station 100,the radio resource management section 110 and channel controllingsection 112 of the base station 100 assign the radio resources and achannel in accordance with the priority in the base station as will bedescribed later (step S508), sends information about them to the mobilestation (step S510), and transmits the packet to the mobile station(step S512).

[0053] Although the foregoing processing is carried out on a packet bypacket basis, this is not essential. It can also be carried out usingmultiple packets as a unit.

[0054] Here, the decision of the priority and the assignment of theradio channel at steps S508 and S510 by the base station will bedescribed.

[0055] First, as for the connection in the private network, that is, theconnection within the base station, the lowest priority can be assignedas compared with other public services. Accordingly, during thecongestion of the public services, the throughput of the traffic of thepresent services will be reduced. During the congestion of the trafficof the present services, the radio resources are equally assigned toterminals. When the services stretch over multiple base stations, theymay be assigned an identifier indicating that it is a LAN packet, andhanded over to the carrier network to which the base stations areconnected. In this case, the switching system of the carrier networkmust have a routing function and the like.

[0056] To broadcast the distinction between the types of the basestations (such as the pros and cons of the private network services, andthe pros and cons of the registration), the base station can transmitthe information about that using a perch channel all the terminals canreceive. Here, the perch channel is a carrier sense physical channel fora mobile station to carry out cell selection, and is subjected tospecial spread processing for enabling the mobile station to capturesynchronization easily even in an interstation asynchronous system. Abase station that provides LAN services can transmit a signal forproviding information about whether the current state is a registerablestate or not in the same manner as the foregoing signal. Thus, theterminals can search for the base station, and make processing such asregistration when it wishes to receive a service.

[0057] An example of a billing system will now be described in themulti-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention. For example, as additional services, there are suchbilling systems for the private network connections as a free of chargesystem, a monthly flat-rate system, a monthly charge system after theinitial use, and a monthly charge system in accordance with the trafficvolume. The billing can be made by transmitting the traffic informationfrom the traffic supervisory section 116 of the base station 100 to thecarrier network so that an existing billing center can issue a billingto the user.

[0058]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of registeringa mobile station or the like to be connected to the private network inthe multi-network connection communication system in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0059] First, a terminal sends a registration request to the basestation (step S602).

[0060] Subsequently, the base station sends an authentication requestfor the terminal to a service support point in a carrier network such asM-SCP (step S604).

[0061] Subsequently, verifying the subscriber with reference tosubscriber information, the service support point registers thesubscriber in a charging list (step S606).

[0062] Subsequently, the service support point transmits theauthentication to the base station (step S608).

[0063] Subsequently, the base station makes the registration (stepS610), and transmits a registered notification to the terminal (stepS612).

[0064]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of deleting theregistration of a mobile station or the like to be connected to theprivate network in the multi-network connection communication system inaccordance with the present invention.

[0065] First, the terminal sends a registration deletion request to thebase station (step S702).

[0066] Subsequently, the base station sends a registration deletionconfirmation request to the service support point in the carrier networksuch as M-SCP (step S704).

[0067] Subsequently, referring to the subscriber information and thelike, the service support point verifies the subscriber, and deletes itfrom the charging list (step S706).

[0068] Subsequently, the service support point transmits a registrationdeletion authorization to the base station (step S708).

[0069] Subsequently, the base station makes the registration deletion(step S710), and transmits a registered notification to the terminal(step S712).

Embodiment Where Private Entity Owns Base Station

[0070] An embodiment will now be described which includes a base stationbelonging not to the carrier but to a private entity in the foregoingembodiment.

[0071] A “private entity” owns a base station simultaneously connectableto both the private network and carrier network. Thus offering publicservices of the carrier using the private base station, the privateentity enables the public to effectively use the resources of theprivate network. As compensation, it can receive discounts of thecommunication charges for the carrier network. When the private entitypossesses the base station in its facilities such as a domed stadium, astation and a restaurant, the public services become available even inlocations where it is difficult for the carrier to install the basestation, thereby increasing the service area. In addition, this makes itpossible to provide a more advanced seamless communication environment.

[0072]FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of aprivate base station 100, which shows only portions of the functions ofthe base station 100 that are relevant to the present invention.

[0073] The base station 100 comprises at least a receiving section 102for receiving a signal from a mobile station or a carrier network; abase station service controlling section 118 for controlling the entireservices of the base station and carries out the processing such asauthentication; a user registration management section 104 for managingthe registration of a mobile station that uses the base station as aprivate network; a service area decision section 106 for making adecision of a service area; a network interface 108 for establishinginterface with the carrier network; a radio resource management section110 for managing radio resources used for radio communication with amobile station; a channel controlling section 112 for controllingchannels used for the radio communication with the mobile station; atransmitting section 114 for transmitting a signal to the mobile stationor the carrier network; and a traffic supervisory section 116 formonitoring the traffic for billing purposes or the like.

[0074] Next, an operation of the present embodiment of the multi-networkconnection communication system will be described with reference toFIGS. 9-12.

[0075]FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the basestation of the multi-network connection communication system inaccordance with the present invention.

[0076] First, the receiving section 102 of the base station 100 receivesa packet from the mobile station or the carrier network (step S902).

[0077] Subsequently, the user registration management section 104 of thebase station 100 makes a decision as to whether the originating addressand terminating address have been registered or not (step S904). Whenthey have not yet been registered, the base station 100 transmits thepacket to the network (step S914), and the packet is transmitted toanother base station via a switching system and the like.

[0078] On the other hand, when the originating address and terminatingaddress have been registered (step S904), the service area decisionsection 106 of the base station 100 makes a decision as to theterminating address of a received packet (step S906). When theterminating address is that of the mobile station that is not present inthe area of the base station 100, the packet is transmitted to thenetwork (step S914) so that it is sent to another base station via theswitching system and the like.

[0079] On the other hand, when the terminating address is that of themobile station currently present in the area of the base station 100,the radio resource management section 110 and channel controllingsection 112 of the base station 100 assign the radio resources and achannel in accordance with the priority in the base station as will bedescribed later (step S908), sends information about them to the mobilestation (step S910), and transmits the packet to the mobile station(step S912).

[0080] Although the foregoing processing is carried out on a packet bypacket basis, this is not essential. It can also be carried out usingmultiple packets as a unit.

[0081] Next, the outline of the operation of the multi-networkconnection communication system in accordance with the present inventionwill be described.

[0082] First, as described later, it sets a maximum providing ratio forusers of the carrier network (a maximum ratio at which the resources areassigned to the carrier network), priority, an owner and a user. Here,the term “owner” refers to the owner of the private network who can setsupervisor mode about the private network. The term “Puser” refers to aperson who carries out the private network connection. It is possible toset a plurality of users as “user”, and it is possible to use thenetwork as the private network between the users.

[0083] Subsequently, at the network connection, the setting values ofthe maximum providing ratio and the priority are reported first. At theupdate, the same operation is made. Then, the base station is loadedwith a browser so that the browser can verify the setting valuesreported.

[0084] Subsequently, the user sets setting values on the personalcomputer via the terminal.

[0085] Subsequently, the base station conducts channel control inaccordance with the set values. For example, it sets the priority at 40%for the public services, and 60% for the private use Considering thepriority, it can be assigned to the private first and then to thepublic, or vise versa, for example. Alternatively, it is not necessaryto assign the priority. The base station can make the radio channelassignment in accordance with the maximum providing ratio, or with thesetting values of the priority.

[0086] An example of the billing system of the multi-network connectioncommunication system in accordance with the present Invention will nowbe described. For example, as for the owner of the base station, thebasic charge or communication charges can be reduced in accordance withthe maximum providing ratio and/or the priority.

[0087]FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation when the ownerof the base station registers the maximum providing ratio and priorityin the multi-network connection communication system in accordance withthe present invention.

[0088] First, the terminal sends to the base station a setting requestof the maximum providing ratio and priority (step 1002).

[0089] Subsequently, the base station carries out the setting processingof the maximum providing ratio and priority (step S1004), and transmitsa setting completion response to the terminal (step S1006).

[0090]FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of registeringthe owner and user in the multi-network connection communication systemin accordance with the present invention.

[0091] First, the terminal sends a registration request of the owner andthe user to the base station (step S1102).

[0092] subsequently, the base station sends an authentication request tothe terminal (step 51104).

[0093] Subsequently, the terminal sends an authentication response tothe base station (step S1106).

[0094] Subsequently, the base station registers the owner and user (stepS1108), and transmits a registered notification to the terminal (stepS1108).

[0095]FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of changingsetting of a password and the like in the multi-network connectioncommunication system in accordance with the present invention.

[0096] First, the terminal requests the base station to change thesetting (step S1202).

[0097] Subsequently, the base station conducts the setting changeprocessing (step S1204), and transmits the setting change completionresponse to the terminal (step S1206).

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0098] Although the foregoing embodiments are described on theassumption that they are implemented independently, this is notessential in the present invention. It is obvious to those skill in theart that they can be combined in various ways to implement otherembodiments.

[0099] In addition, although the foregoing embodiments are described byway of example that employs the IMT2000 system or PDC/PDC-P system ofNTT DoCoMo Inc. as the mobile telephone network/mobile packet network,this is not essential in the present invention. For example, they can beapplied to other mobile telephone networks/mobile packet networks withdifferent radio system to implement other embodiments.

[0100] Furthermore, although the foregoing embodiments are described byway of example of services and systems of the NTT DoCoMo Inc., this isnot essential in the present invention. For example, they can be appliedto other services and systems of other companies with similar functionsto implement other embodiments.

[0101] Moreover, various changes and modifications can be implementedother than the foregoing embodiments. As long as the variations arebased on the technical concept described in the claims of the presentinvention, they belong to the scope of the present invention.

[0102] As described above, the present invention can provide the basestation for use in the multi-network connection communication system andits connecting method capable of obviating the need of the LAN equipmentin the private system and to increase the efficiency of the base stationwith low availability, by installing the base station that isconnectable simultaneously to both the private network and carriernetwork, and by using the carrier base station as the base station forthe private LAN.

[0103] In addition, according to the present invention, offering publicservices of the carrier using the private base station, the privateentity enables the public to effectively use the resources of theprivate network. As compensation, it can receive discounts of thecommunication charges for the carrier network. When the private entitypossesses the base station in its facilities such as a domed stadium,station and restaurant, the public services become available even inlocations where it is difficult for the carrier to install the basestations, thereby increasing the service area.

[0104] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a more advancedseamless communication environment.

[0105] The present invention has been described in detail with respectto preferred embodiments, and it will now be apparent from the foregoingto those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and it isthe intention, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit of theinvention.

What is Claimed:
 1. A base station for use in a multi-network connectioncommunication system comprising means for making a decision as towhether a terminal is to be connected to a carrier network or a privatenetwork; and means for connecting said terminal to said carrier networkor said private network in accordance with the decision result.
 2. Thebase station as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base station furthercomprises means for assigning resources to the communication of saidterminal in accordance with predetermined setting information.
 3. Thebase station as claimed in claim 2, wherein said predetermined settinginformation is a maximum providing ratio for users of said carriernetwork and/or priority.
 4. The base station as claimed in claim 1,wherein charges for said carrier network levied on an owner of saidprivate network are discounted in accordance with predetermined settinginformation.
 5. The base station as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidpredetermined setting information is a maximum providing ratio for usersof said carrier network and/or priority.
 6. The base station as claimedin claim 1, wherein said base station is owned by a carrier thatprovides said carrier network.
 7. The base station as claimed in claim1, wherein said base station is owned by an owner of said privatenetwork.
 8. A connecting method for use in a base station for use in amulti-network connection communication system comprising the steps of:making a decision as to whether the a terminal is to be connected to acarrier network or a private network; and connecting said terminal tosaid carrier network or said private network in accordance with thedecision result.
 9. The connecting method as claimed in claim 8, whereinsaid connecting method further comprises the step of assigning resourcesto the communication of said terminal in accordance with predeterminedsetting information.
 10. The connecting method as claimed in claim 9,wherein said predetermined setting information is a maximum providingratio for users of said carrier network and/or priority.
 11. Theconnecting method as claimed in claim 8, wherein charges for saidcarrier network levied on an owner of said private network arediscounted in accordance with predetermined setting information.
 12. Theconnecting method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said predeterminedsetting information is a maximum providing ratio for users of saidcarrier network and/or priority.
 13. The connecting method as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said base station is owned by a carrier that providessaid carrier network.
 14. The connecting method as claimed in claim 8,wherein said base station is owned by an owner of said private network.